Boat went in the water today!

[Vince_nj1]

I'm back in, but I don't expect to be taking it out in the ocean for a few weeks. I have a few projects that I need to take care of and the yard didn't allow me to work on the boat on land. Now that it is back in the water I can sleep on it, use the bathroom, clean it up and finish my projects:

• Re-install the C-80 (had a new screen installed)
• Finish installing the fish finder/DSM unit
• Install digital boxes for the analog TV's.
• Install the replacement BEAM vacuum, which requires modifications to make fit since it is now 1 inch taller.
• Fix all of the broken/missing snaps on the rug/canvas etc.

 

[hack4alivin]

We are in, first one to splash here at out Marina. Took her out for a quick run to Maxwell Point and everything ran great. All systems checked out. She is ready for the season!

 

[Alex F]

Alex, I do the same as you - start the boat on land a week or two before launch and then again the morning of launch (as long as the weather assures no freezing). I don't know that everyone is capable of doing this. It's tricky without some sort of flush system but I suppose it can be done.

Ron,
The fact that we have nice flushing system setup makes things easier. However, to get any inboards running on land is as very simple (something I've learned from great NJ mechanic down in FL while purchasing my boat).

For those who wants to do it while the boat is still on land, here's the quick tip:

1. open sea strainers and feed the garden hose right into the strainer.
2. open city water and and let it run and spill over from the strainer (it'll drain out anyway since the plug is out. If your bildge plug is already installed, this will be a good time to test your bildge pumps).
3. start your engine (do only one at the time, if you have twins) and you'll see how water will no longer spills over from the strainer into the bildge, but will go right in to the engine and chances are you'll see it coming out of exshaust withing 10-15 seconds
4. Make sure to run the engine at low RPMs, you might give it a little boost at the very beginning since the engine was sitting all winter long, but as soon as it's going fine bring the thruttles back to idle or slightly above to keep the engine going smoothly. WATCH YOUR TEPMS!!
5. When you're done running for 10-15min and all checks out fine, including the temps, turn the engine off and only then shut off the water.

Extra tip:
to avoid long trips to the water valve by the building or someone's slip near by, make an extention for your hose and connect it with some small garden hose valve to the main hose. This way you'll controll the running water from the cockpit without even jumping off the boat.:thumbsup:

These simple steps allow you to check all your engine and genny before you splash, thus you can avoid unnecessary hassle of taking her out of the water due to some descoveries (like bad impeller, etc.) when you drop her in.:thumbsup:

I hope this helps some captains to save time and aggrivation.

Alex.

 

[Vince_nj1]

Good advice Alex! I take advantage of that next year when I am in a different yard that allows me to work on my boat.